Glenn Hoag confident heading into do-or-die match

IZMIR, Turkey (February 11, 2013) – Head coachGlenn Hoag of Gatineau, Que., is confident his Arkas Izmir squad can turn the tables on Poland’s Zaksa Kedzierzyn-Hole on Tuesday in match two of two in the Champions League semifinal.

Zaksa won the opening match in four sets last week. Izmir now must win the second match to force a decisive golden set. Izmir turned that trick in the quarterfinal when they lost the opening match to Belchatow, Poland then roared back to victory in match two and clinched the series winning the golden set.

“It will definitely be a good match,” said Hoag, also the head coach of Canada’s national men’s team. “Two good teams will be playing their best to make it to the final four of this elitist competition. We all share that same goal and dream and so we need to focus on every single rally to accomplish this mission.”

The Izmir squad is certainly the favourite of Canadian volleyball fans. Along with Hoag the team also includes national team players Adam Simac of Ottawa, Gord Perrin of Creston, B.C., and Justin Duff of Winnipeg. All three are regulars and Perrin has been one of the biggest stars in the entire tournament.

“The support of our fans will be an extra motivation and we hope to contribute a great volleyball night,” said Hoag. Last year, Izmir became the first Turkish squad to make it to the Champions League Final.

More than 6,000 fans are expected for the match at the “Atatürk” Volleyball Hall. The winner of the series advances to the Champions League final March 16-17 in Omsk, Russia.